GLOCK 21 VS GLOCK 31

[RDT72]

GLOCK SHOOTERS!

I am in the market for a Glock 21, it was my dept issued gun for over 4 years and I LOVED/ LOVE it!

I am thinking about buying a G21 for myself but the .357 G31 interests me. I can drive nails with a G21 but have never tried a G31 or fired any other .357

I know the G31 is slightly narrower and lighter, but the real question is which is best .357 or .45 Auto?

[yzErnie]

IMHO, the ammo used could make one better than the other for LE use.

Example: we were issuing the .45acp+p SXT for our issued G21s. The ammo was causing the guns to fail because the guns could not handle that pressure ammo regularly. As a result, they started issuing the std velocity .45acp SXT ammo and the real life results are very disappointing.

The issued G17s are issued the 9mm+p+ SXT and do not cause the same failure issues as experienced on the G21s. This ammo performs substantially better ballistically and in real life scenarios than the 45 ammo. Many of our guys have turned in their G21s to get the G17s and the better ammo.

Does all that make sense?

[mixicus]

"but the real question is which is best .357 or .45 Auto? "

The questions becomes, "For what purpose?", "How much do you shoot?" and "Do you reload?"

In round numbers, the 357 Sig runs about $10 more a box than equivalent practice ammo ($23 v $32 for Winchester white box). So if you shoot a lot and don't reload, 357 Sig can get expensive. 357 Sig is a less common round so you may find it a bit harder to grab a box and head to the range at the last minute.

Ballistically, unless you are reloading your own or buying premium defense loads, a standard 357 Sig runs a 125 grain bullet at about 1350fps. A standard loading for a 9mm is a 115 grain bullet at 1225fps (Winchester white box). Not a whole lot of difference for $20/box of 50 ($14 v $32) for the 357 Sig over a 'normal' 9mm.

Unless you have a specific purpose in mind, the 45 ACP seems like a more practical choice.

[TrailerparkTrash]

"but the real question is which is best .357 or .45 Auto? "

10mm beats them both!!!!!! (Sorry for the hijack, but I couldn't resist.)

GLOCK 20 FOREVER!!!!

[RDT72]

yzernie: we used Winchester Ranger .45 Auto +P, the only misfeeds we had were attributed to the X300 tac light on a 10+ year old Glock (something to do with frame rigidity, idk it never happened to me)

mixicus: On my own dime, I would say I shoot recreationally, once a month, i'll go through 3-5 mags in a shoot and then switch to shottys or rifles. Typically i'll milk 1000 rounds over the course of a year depending on special occasions (bachelor parties/ fam reunions etc..)

Trailerpark: i'm listening man, sell the 10mm, how does it beat them? I mean generally speaking, I'm sure special order ammo will give an edge to each caliber, but what about ammo I can pick up at Wal-Mart or Herb Bauer?

[RDT72]

Looked into the G20, same dimensions as the G21 with a higher capacity, not bad.

[mixicus]

'Range' ammo for a 10mm is generally just a tad hotter than a 40S&W in the same weight. Probably less than 100fps faster in the same brand/bullet combo. Even the current 10mm premium/defensive ammo from major brands is not that much hotter than the equivalent 40S&W.

However, if you look to some of the smaller manufacturers such as Double Tap; there are commercial loads that equal the original Norma ammo. These are in the realm of a 200gr at 1200fps or 170-180gr at 1300fps. That's 300+fps faster than the 40S&W. Basically giving you a 41 magnum revolver performance in a semi-auto. You can also get these results by loading your own.

For more exact numbers head to the manufacture's websites. Midway ammo also puts velocity on the ammo descriptions. You'll also see the price difference (40-50% more for a 10mm) for the same brand/bullet combo.

As with your 357 Sig question, if the round fits your purpose and the cost/availability of ammo doesn't bother you, go for it.

[brianinca]

>>>
we were issuing the .45acp+p SXT for our issued G21s. The ammo was causing the guns to fail because the guns could not handle that pressure ammo regularly.
>>>

I'd be very interested to hear more about that. What parts were you breaking?

To the OP:
Have a G21, G30 and G33 - the 21 since '94. 45 ACP and 357 SIG are both great calibers, but very different.

An advantage of buying a Glock 31 would be the ability to change barrels and have 40 S&W as well as 9MM all in one package; I did have to buy a 9mm magazine for my G33, but it shoots all 3 calibers perfectly.

9mm is cheap and widely available for practice, 357 SIG is a lot more fun to shoot if you like flash/bang/recoil. 40 S&W leaves me totally cold, but keep in mind this is all in a subcompact Glock. When WalMart came back into ammunition about 5 months ago, 9mm was $9.97/50 for Federal, WWB 357 SIG was $23.97.

45 ACP is widely available and for me the big frame Glocks are the best handling pistols I own. I would definitely buy a Glock 21 first, but that's just because I'd also buy a 30 and a 33 again.

Regards,
Brian in CA

[RDT72]

[QUOTE=brianinca;5324629]

An advantage of buying a Glock 31 would be the ability to change barrels and have 40 S&W as well as 9MM all in one package; I did have to buy a 9mm magazine for my G33, but it shoots all 3 calibers perfectly.

I had no idea the G31 could do that, thanks everyone for your input. I sure have a lot more to consider now.

[five.five-six]

IMO, .357SIG is uber accurate and the necked cartrage is harder to have feeding problems

[Napalm Bulldog]

>>>
we were issuing the .45acp+p SXT for our issued G21s. The ammo was causing the guns to fail because the guns could not handle that pressure ammo regularly.
>>>

I'd be very interested to hear more about that. What parts were you breaking?

To the OP:
Have a G21, G30 and G33 - the 21 since '94. 45 ACP and 357 SIG are both great calibers, but very different.

An advantage of buying a Glock 31 would be the ability to change barrels and have 40 S&W as well as 9MM all in one package; I did have to buy a 9mm magazine for my G33, but it shoots all 3 calibers perfectly.

9mm is cheap and widely available for practice, 357 SIG is a lot more fun to shoot if you like flash/bang/recoil. 40 S&W leaves me totally cold, but keep in mind this is all in a subcompact Glock. When WalMart came back into ammunition about 5 months ago, 9mm was $9.97/50 for Federal, WWB 357 SIG was $23.97.
45 ACP is widely available and for me the big frame Glocks are the best handling pistols I own. I would definitely buy a Glock 21 first, but that's just because I'd also buy a 30 and a 33 again.

Regards,
Brian in CA

Yep just bought a box today and it was $26.97 . With the tax $29.33 OTD. They raised the price.

[TrailerparkTrash]

However, if you look to some of the smaller manufacturers such as Double Tap; there are commercial loads that equal the original Norma ammo. These are in the realm of a 200gr at 1200fps or 170-180gr at 1300fps. That's 300+fps faster than the 40S&W. Basically giving you a 41 magnum revolver performance in a semi-auto.

Also, CorBon ammo. Double Tap is the shizzle! I use it exclusively for hunting pigs, bears and deer.

Today's 10mm loadings by Winchester, Remington (UMC), CCI/Blazzer are all loaded DOWN!!! WEAK!!!!! They are loaded down to more of the .40cal velocities.

Today's modern factory loaded 10mm ammo is more akin to a .40cal. Just like some .357mag loadings are powered down to .38spl +P's.

If you want a real 10mm as to what it was ORIGINALLY loaded to (i.e. "standard pressures"), you'll have to go with old Norma ammo, or current production of Double Tap, CorBon or slightly less, Hornady factory loads.

[brianinca]

>>>
They raised the price.
>>>

Lee dies are $29 or so, get some Hornady aerosol spray lube and you can reload 357 SIG as easily as any other pistol caliber (no carbide dies for bottleneck cases). The cost differential makes loading premium GDHP and hot Power Pistol combos all the more tasty - spite is good for the soul.

Regards,
Brian in CA